Blog

Soft Cover vs Hard Cover

Truck bed covers can be made from a variety of materials, but no two are created equal. There are soft covers and hard covers, and we are going to discuss which is right for you; a soft cover vs hard cover.

Is a Soft Tonneau Cover Right for Me?

You may be just fine with a soft tonneau cover, made of vinyl, canvas, or other types of cloth. These will be relatively cheap and so will their performance. No disrespect is meant – it’s just that soft tonneau covers aren’t made to stand up to the elements (or intruders!). They will fade under the sun’s rays, fold to the weight of snow, and open up to any smooth-talker with a knife. 

Comparing Hard Tonneau Covers

Turning to hard tonneau covers, you’ll be faced with the decision between plastic, fiberglass, and aluminum. Not only will these be more stylish than soft covers, they are far more practical in terms of security. 

However, most plastic and fiberglass covers are single-panel, making them bulky and difficult to remove. While ABS plastic is much lighter than Fiberglass, it lacks the load-bearing strength. 

Aluminum blows them both out of the water; it’s a material that is somehow both lightweight and strong. That said, not all aluminum is made the same; some aluminum covers are sure to let you down if their quality isn’t top notch. 

Sustainable Tonneau Covers 

Those customers considering the environment may wonder about the sustainability of soft vs hard truck bed covers. 

While at first it may seem like soft tonneau covers are more kind to the environment, the truth is you’ll see their degradation in real time – not just in terms of the material, but also on your wallet. Instead of a one-time purchase, you will need replacement covers, and may even need to replace items that were stored underneath them – if they are damaged or disappear. 

Turning to hard covers, you’ll find that manufactured plastic and fiberglass will last a long time – almost too long. These materials are classified as “monstrous hybrids” because the truth is they’ll never fully decompose. Each one purchased is one that will inevitably contribute to a landfill. 

This leaves aluminum, which can be recycled infinitely, with very little deterioration in the process. Environmentalists call this material “cradle to cradle” because it can keep being reborn. 

The choice 

With Renegade, you can shop with confidence, knowing that its Military-Grade aluminum isn’t shying away from the fight. In addition, with a weight-bearing capacity of 2,000 lbs, you’ll be ready for any load.   

The beauty of this cover is that all that strength is paired with flexibility that meets your needs. This hard truck bed cover is simple to remove, but also folds up efficiently. The cherry-on-top is that Renegade’s aluminum cover is made up of a recyclable material. With Renegade, you’re making the responsible choice. 

If you have any plans to use your truck for overlanding, construction, mounting racks, hauling a 5th wheel trailer, or for overall convenience, the Renegade Cover is the only heavy duty customizable tonneau cover of its kind.

You can stand on top, drive your ATV or dirt bike on it, mount a rooftop tent, or whatever else you can think of. It’s so versatile, the Renegade is sure to suit your hard cover needs.

Need anymore convincing on soft cover vs hard cover? Well then visit the Renegade Covers site and see all the things you can do with the Renegade Cover.